Honda to Build Transmission Plant in Georgia

ATLANTA, GA – Governor Sonny Perdue and Honda officials announced today plans to build a $100 million plant in Tallapoosa, Georgia to produce automatic transmissions.  The plant will initially support production of Honda Odyssey minivans and Pilot SUVs at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA) in Lincoln, Alabama.  Governor Perdue met with Honda President and CEO Takeo Fukui during his SEUS-Japan trade trip in October 2003.

            “This new plant will create approximately 400 jobs for Georgians, with the potential to double the number of jobs in the years to come,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “It is a tremendous win for our state that reinforces Georgia’s status as a center for the automobile manufacturing industry.”

The new 250,000 square foot plant will be built on a 300-acre tract in Tallapoosa, in Haralson County, and will employ approximately 400 associates when it reaches annual capacity of 300,000 automatic transmissions.  It is scheduled to begin production in fall 2006.  

            “We believe the state of Georgia has what we need to continue our momentum in North America: excellent transportation systems, the necessary infrastructure to support industry and, most importantly, an outstanding community of people,” said Koichi Kondo, chief operating officer of Honda's North America Region operations and president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.  “We are excited about this chance to expand our relationship with the people of Georgia.” 

"The close proximity of this new operation to our plant in Alabama will increase the efficiency of our North American powertrain capabilities and will provide Honda with the flexibility to meet the future needs of our customers," added Kondo.

American Honda's Power Equipment Division established its headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia in 1990, which is also home to American Honda's Southeast Region sales, service, and parts operations for Honda and Acura automobiles, auto and motorcycle technical training centers, and a parts warehouse, with total employment of approximately 400 Honda associates in Alpharetta. 

            Honda also established the Honda Rider Education and Environmental center in Alpharetta in 1990 – a multi-use facility that provides training classrooms and ranges to teach street, ATV, and off-road riding skills to riders on all brands.  It is one of the most active dirt bike training centers in the nation.